Following a five-year hiatus, San Francisco-via-NYC hip-hop artist Aesop Rock recently returned with his first solo album since None Shall Pass. Released by the Rhymesayers label, Skelethon is the rapper’s effort to come to terms with the death of a close friend, as well as the deterioration of several friendships and close relationships. “Death has become commonplace in my life,” he says. “The past few years was an endless period of skeletons. But, hopefully, Skelethon will help put all of this behind me. It’s like a giant purging—like finishing a chapter and preparing to jump into the next one.” Aesop will also be guest editing magnetmagazine.com all week. Read our recent feature on him.
Aesop: A patty melt is a hamburger patty on toasted rye bread with cheese and grilled onions. Any diner worth its weight in grease should have one. The reason the patty melt is so good is because it’s all the beauty of a hamburger without the massive bun, which can occasionally be just as filling as the burger itself. You can pound one at any hour of the day and not have that shouldn’t-have-eaten-that-
Maybe it being on bread instead of a bun tricks the mind into thinking it’s much lighter, when in reality it’s probably only slightly lighter. I usually prefer my onions raw, but within the scenario of the patty melt, the grilled onions are wonderful. I actually don’t really like rye bread either, but again—within the confines of a nicely constructed P.M. you’re dealing with some powerful alchemy. Best patty melt in San Francisco (where I currently reside) can be found at Grubstake on Pine Street. For the burger lovers out there who occasionally find the overall size and weight of your local diner’s burger to be a touch too much, I’d highly investigate the patty melt. Please report your findings.
Video after the jump.
